San Benito County Emergency Medical Services Agency
HEAT EXPOSURE Policy Effective Reviewed
: E-1 : May 1, 2010 : May 1, 2010
I. BLS Treatment Protocol: A. Treat life threats. (See Policy 4000) B.
Implement cooling measures.
C.
Prepare for transport / transfer of care.
II. ALS Treatment Protocol: A. Heat Exhaustion: * 1. Treat life threats. (See Policy 4000) 2. Transport. 3. Initiate IV ACCESS with Normal Saline; titrate to SBP 90 – 100 mm Hg. 4. Contact Base Station. B. Heat Stroke: ** 1.
Treat life threats. (See Policy 4000)
2.
Start aggressive cooling measures.
3.
Transport.
4.
Initiate IV ACCESS with Normal Saline; titrate to SBP 90 – 100 mm Hg.
5.
Contact Base Station.
Protocol E-1 Page 1 of 2
Note: *Heat Exhaustion: Usually occurs in healthy individuals who have exercise induced hypovolemia. Example: Joggers. Clinical Signs: Normal temperature, wet pale skin, tachycardia, syncope, vomiting/diarrhea. Treatment: Heat exhausted patients are always fluid depleted. IV fluid therapy can help to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances. **Heat Stroke: The patients most susceptible are the inactive, the elderly or the overactive healthy youth. Phenothiazines, tricyclics, antihistamines, amphetamines, alcohol, and diuretics may potentiate heat stroke. Clinical Signs: High body temperature with ALOC, dry hot skin, seizures, tachycardia. Treatment: Heat stroke patients require immediate rapid cooling. The most effective method is evaporative cooling achieved by wetting the skin and moving air across the body.
Protocol E-1 Page 2 of 2
